5 underrated fighters whose UFC records warrant more recognition

In a promotion as intense and highly competitive as the UFC, a single loss could have a major impact on the career of a fighter.

In many cases, fighters are remembered for their losses even when they have a series of impressive wins on their resume. In other cases, fighters aren't recognized for their exploits even if they don't have any standout defeats on their record, due to their assuming personality or a variety of other factors.

Here are five underrated fighters whose UFC records warrant more recognition.

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#5 'The Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung (UFC Record: 7-3)

UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie v Ige

After eight straight main events, it might be criminal to call 'The Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung underrated. But despite being a fan favorite and one of the best featherweights the UFC has ever seen, is he talked about in the same breath as Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway? You could argue that he should be.

'The Korean Zombie' has a decent if unassuming 7-3 UFC record. But his three losses are nothing to be ashamed about. His first defeat in the promotion was to Jose Aldo in 2013, when the Brazilian was firmly in his prime and on a record-breaking spree. Aldo was on a 15-fight win streak and more than two years away from his career-defining loss to Conor McGregor.

Then, 'The Korean Zombie' was on the receiving end of a brutal knockout at the hands of Yair Rodriguez with only one second to go in the fight. He was ahead on the scorecards, but a small lapse in judgment and a desire to entertain the crowd during the final seconds brought about his downfall.

Jung's third UFC loss came at the hands of Brian Ortega last year. After taking almost two years away from the octagon following his devastating defeat to Holloway, 'T-City' returned a completely different fighter in the striking department. Ortega is now going to challenge Volkanovski for the title and may even enter the contest as a betting favorite, so there's no shame in losing to him as well.

Korean Zombie's twister will always be one of the best submissions ever https://t.co/bcUfTdygXc

— MMA GOSSiP (@MMAxGossip) March 23, 2016

'The Korean Zombie' is loved and respected, but his stellar UFC career so far arguably deserves more recognition.

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#4 Santiago Ponzinibbio (UFC Record: 10-3)

UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik v Sakai Weigh-in

UFC welterweight veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio has been part of the promotion since November 2013, but health concerns and injuries have left him sidelined for significant periods of time. The last such layoff, which came between November 2018 and January 2021, has perhaps taken some of the shine off of what a great fighter he has been in the UFC.

Ponzinibbio was knocked out by Li Jingliang in his comeback fight, and a section of fans quickly discredited his accomplishments in the UFC. But he proved what he's made of with a brilliant comeback win over Miguel Baeza in a memorable, tightly contested fight earlier this month.

Fight of the night? Month? Year? 😳👏 What a way to end this scrap! #UFCVegas28 pic.twitter.com/4eCJCePUHi

— UFC (@ufc) June 6, 2021

Between his second UFC loss to Lorenz Larkin and his third to Li, 'The Argentine Dagger' went on a seven-fight win streak, vanquishing names such as Gunnar Nelson, Mike Perry, Neil Magny and Court McGee. He even has a win over current contender Sean Strickland.

Speaking of Strickland....

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#3 Sean Strickland (UFC Record: 10-3)

UFC Fight Night: Strickland v Jotko

A fighter with a UFC record identical to that of Santiago Ponzinibbio, Sean Strickland made his promotional debut in May 2014. And in just his second fight, he fell to the more experienced Argentine via unanimous decision.

Since then, Strickland has flown under the radar but has been one of the UFC's most consistent fighters. His two other losses in the UFC aren't embarrassing by any means - one to pound-for-pound king and current welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, and another via a freak wheel kick from Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.

Strickland is now ranked 11th in the middleweight division and is surging up the rankings. On a four-fight win streak right now, 'Tarzan' faces Uriah Hall next month.

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#2 Vicente Luque (UFC Record: 13-3)

UFC 260: Woodley v Luque

Despite being one of the more entertaining fighters on the roster, Vicente Luque doesn't seem to get the appreciation he deserves. Since his loss in the TUF 21 finale to Michael Graves in July 2015, 'The Silent Assassin' has fought 15 times and lost only twice.

Luque's first loss came to Leon Edwards in March 2017, breaking a four-fight win streak. Not to be deterred, he went on another winning run, this time for six fights before falling to Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson. With both Edwards and Thompson firmly in the welterweight title picture right now, the Brazilian can be forgiven for his losses.

Importantly, Luque - who has never been finished in the UFC - has wins over Tyron Woodley, Belal Muhammad, Niko Price (twice) and Mike Perry, among many others. All while promising nonstop entertainment in the octagon. He takes on Michael Chiesa in August as he attempts to earn himself a title shot.

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#1 Derrick Lewis (UFC Record: 21-5)

UFC Fight Night: Lewis v Oleinik

News broke recently that Derrick Lewis will face off against Ciryl Gane in August with the interim heavyweight title on the line. While 'The Black Beast' may feel a bit hard done by as he was staring at a shot at Francis Ngannou's undisputed title, he will welcome the opportunity to win some gold in the UFC.

Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) will face Ciryl Gane (@ciryl_gane) in an interim heavyweight title fight in the main event of UFC 265 on Aug. 7 in Houston, per Dana White (@danawhite). pic.twitter.com/wy3frMtyjJ

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 28, 2021

That wouldn't be anything apart from what he deserves, since he's been one of the UFC's most unproblematic stars since making his promotional debut in April 2014. With over 20 wins in the UFC under his belt in the most difficult division and 12 knockout wins (the most in heavyweight history), Lewis has produced several entertaining moments both inside and outside the octagon.

Since October 2015, Lewis' only losses have come to Mark Hunt, Daniel Cormier and Junior dos Santos - two former champions and one former title contender. In the same period, he has amassed 13 wins, including names like Ngannou, Alexey Oleinik, Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura, Travis Browne and Roy Nelson.

Pretty respectable for someone who isn't talked about in the same vein as the other elite heavyweights, eh?

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